﻿1.1.2- Family Cucurbitaceae (gourd family)﻿+ Overview The Cucurbitaceae, also cucurbits, are a plantfamily, sometimes called the gourd family, consisting of around a hundred genera. The plants in this family are grown around the tropics and in temperate areas, where those with edible fruits were among the earliest cultivated plants both in the Old and New Worlds. The Cucurbitaceae family ranks among the highest of plant families for number and percentage of species used as human food.+ Subfamilies Depending on a classification system given by Charles Jeffrey in 1990 the family Cucurbitaceae had two subfamilies: 1- Subfamily Zanonioideae (small striate pollen grains) including 1 tribe, 5 subtribes and 19 genera. 2- Subfamily Cucurbitoideae including 7 tribes, 14 subtribes and 82 genera.

﻿1.1.5- Genus Momordica+ OverviewMomordicais a genus of about 60 species of annual or perennial climbersherbaceousor rarely small shrubs belonging to the family Cucurbitaceae, natives of tropical and subtropicalAfricaandAsiaandAustralia. Most species produce floral oils and are visited by specialist pollinators in theapidtribe Ctenoplectrini. A molecular phylogeny that includes all species is available (Schaefer and Renner, 2010). SomeMomordicaspecies are grown in cultivation for their fleshyfruit, which are oblong to cylindrical in shape, orange to red in colour, prickly or warted externally, and inMomordica charantiaburst when ripe, generally with elastic force, into irregular valves. Momordica charantia(bitter melon, Chinese: “ku gua”) is native to Africa but has been used in Chinese folk medicinefor centuries as a 'bitter, cold' herb, and has recently been brought into mainstream Chinese medicine as well as natural medical traditions around the world. Recent research has shown that the immature fruit might have some antibiotic, anticancer, and antiviral properties, particularly well suited for use in treatment of malaria, HIV, and diabetic conditions.The use ofMomordica fruit is contraindicated in a number of conditions, especially pregnancy.+ Species Genus Momordica has of about 60 species. The most important species include: 1- Momordica balsaminaL. - Balsam apple 2- Momordica charantiaL.-Bitter melon 3- Momordica cochinchinensis(Lour.) Spreng.-Gac 4- Momordica cymbalariaHook.f. 5- Momordica dioicaRoxb. ex Willd. 6- Momordica enneaphyllaCogn. 7- Momordica foetida Schumach.﻿

1.1.6- Species Momordica cochichinensis - Gac or Red Melon+ OverviewMomordica cochinchinensis(Lour.) Spreng.-Gacis aSoutheast Asianfruitfound throughout the region from SouthernChinato NortheasternAustralia, includingThailand,Laos,Myanmar,Cambodia andVietnam. It is commonly known asGacfrom the Vietnamesegấcorquả gấc (quảbeing a classifier for spherical objects such as fruit). It is known asmùbiēguǒinChineseand variously asred melon,babyjackfruit,spiny bitter gourdorcochinchin gourdin English. In Thai, it is pronouncedfahk khaoandtaw thabu inMyanmar.+ Growth Gac or Red Melon, grows ondioeciousvinesand is usually collected from fence climbers or from wild plants. The vines can be commonly seen growing on lattices at the entrances to rural homes or in gardens. It only fruits once a year, and is found seasonally in local markets. The fruit itself becomes a dark orange color upon ripening, and is typically round or oblong, maturing to a size of about 13 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter. Its exterior skin is covered in small spines while its dark red interior consists of clusters of fleshy pulp and seeds.+ Traditional uses Traditionally, gac has been used as both food and medicine in the regions in which it grows. Other than the use of its fruit and leaves for special Vietnamese culinary dishes, gac is also used for its medicinal and nutritional properties. In Vietnam, the seed membranes are said to aid in the relief of dry eyes, as well as to promote healthy vision. Similarly, in traditional Chinese medicine the seeds of gac, known in Mandarin Chinese as mùbiēzǐ, are employed for a variety of internal and external purposes.

2- Characteristics of the Species Momordica cochinchinensis - Gac or Red Melon

﻿2.1- Description﻿﻿﻿+ Plant﻿﻿ Gac is a tropical vine plant that grow almost 6 m (20 feet) long on a fence, or cover an overhead arbor. The vines can be commonly seen growing on lattices at the entrances to rural homes or in gardens. It only fruits once a year, and is found seasonally in local markets. Because it has a relatively shortharvestseason (which peaks in December and January), making it less abundant than other foods, gac is typically served at ceremonial or festive occasions in Vietnam, such asTết(the Vietnamese new year) and weddings. It can be grown as annual plant in cooler climates and in large tubs in warm greenhouses. For northern states of U.S.A, start inside in early winter in a warm spot with bright light, (it will get big before spring, use at least a 5 gallon container) and transplant outside after last frost in spring. This plant needs about 8 months to fruit from the time it is planted, so start seeds accordingly.﻿﻿+ Leaves﻿﻿ It bears simple,alternateleaves 10-15 cm across, with three to seven deeply separated lobes. The young leaves can be eaten as leaf vegetable.﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ + Flowers﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ Flowers should bloom around two to three months after planting. Gac or Red Melon is adioeciousvines. This means male flowers on one plant, female on another, you will probably need about 10 plants to make sure you have a combination of male/female plants. Male flowers have pale petals that spread widely for a pleasant, open bloom, while female flowers have a more structured appearance, with the unformedfruitcreating a bulge at the base. Pollination is chiefly carried out by insects rather than wind and hand pollination results in a higher fruit set than open pollination. Insects generally carry out pollination; however, in areas with few insects, gardeners can try hand pollination. ﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿+ Fruits﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ The fruit itself becomes a dark orange color upon ripening, and is typically round or oblong, maturing to a size of about 13 cm in length and 10 cm in diameter. Its exterior skin is covered in small spines while its dark red interior consists of clusters of fleshy pulp and seeds. It takes approximately 5 months after flowering before the ripe fruits can be harvested. One plant can produce 30 - 60 fruits in one season, although this may depend on factors such as climate and plant age, yet to be described. It only fruits once a year, and is found seasonally in local markets.﻿﻿+ Seeds﻿﻿ Gac seeds are brown in color and look like small meteorites with gagged edges and black lines running through them. They are about the size of a half dollar piece and about 1/4 inch thick. Approximately 200-300 seeds in 1 kilogram. They have one small hole on one end. This is where the vine will emerge at germination. Warmth, air circulation, and bright light are required for germination. Seeds are easy to germinate and they will germinate in 7-14 days. Germination rate is usually around 80%.

﻿2.2- Origin and Distribution+ Origin Momordica cochinchinensis also known as GAC is a native fruit of Southeast Asia. The fruit was discovered in Vietnam, as it was accidentally stumbled upon. It is commonly known by the shorter name as GAC, from the Vietnamese gấc.+ Distribution Momordica cochinchinensisalso known as GAC is a Southeast Asian fruit mainly found throughout the region fromSouthern China to Northeastern Australia, including Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Cambodia and Vietnam.﻿

﻿﻿﻿2.3- Nutrients and phytochemicals﻿ Gac fruit has traditionally been used in Asia to provide red colour for cuisines and enhance visional health. Typical of orange-colored plant foods, gac fruit contains carotenoids such as beta-carotene (provitamin A). Vietnamese children fed a rice dish containing beta-carotene from gac had higher blood levels of beta-carotene than those in the control group. Gac aril oil contains high levels of vitamin E. Fatty acids in the aril oil may facilitate absorption of fat-soluble nutrients, including carotenoids. Recently, Gac fruit has emerged as a potential source of carotenoids, especially lycopene and β-carotene. Carotenoids and other identified bioactives from this fruit including phenolics, flavonoids and trypsin inhibitors are associated with many beneficial bioactivities such as antioxidant, anticancer and provitamin A activities. In addition to the traditional utilisation, commercial products like Gac powder and Gac oil have been manufactured as natural colourants and medicinal supplements. Due to its high content of beta-carotene and lycopene, gac extracts may be sold as a food supplement in soft capsules or included in a juice blend. Gac contains substantial lycopene, beta-carotene and a protein that may inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells. Two cyclotides isolated, MCoT-I and MCoT-II, may have properties to inhibit trypsin.﻿﻿

3- The Uses of Gac fruit or Red Melon

﻿Traditionally, gac has been used as both food and medicine in the regions in which it grows. Other than the use of its fruit and leaves for special Vietnamese culinary dishes, gac is also used for its medicinal and nutritional properties. ﻿﻿ 3.1- Food Uses﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿+ Introduction﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ Gac flesh and oily sacs are quite palatable and have very little taste, it could be described as a very mild taste, in the same way that a cucumber has very little taste. It is only slightly sweet or not sweet, and it would not be described as delicious, more like plain or no taste. The mesocarp (light orange outer fleshy part under the spiny skin) has a soft spongy texture. It is normally discarded (composted!). When the seeds and oil sac are cooked with rice, they impart a lustrous appearance and oil-rich, mild nutty flavor to the rice. Because it has a relatively shortharvestseason (which peaks in December and January), making it less abundant than other foods, gac is typically served at ceremonial or festive occasions in Vietnam, such asTết(the Vietnamese new year) and weddings. It is most commonly prepared as a dish calledxôi gấc, in which thearilandseedsof the fruit are cooked in glutinous rice, imparting both their color and flavor. More recently, the fruit has begun to be marketed outside of Asia in the form ofjuicedietary supplementsbecause of its high phytonutrientcontent. There are a number of companies which are commercially processing gac into supplements or juices. For western diets, a convenient way to prepare Gac is to drop the seed sacs into a pot of tomato sauce and cook briefly. Of course if your tomato sauce already has a rich tomato taste and contains some other healthy oils like olive oil, the Gac imparts almost no detectable flavor to the tomato sauce while turbo-charging it with phyto-nutrients. Use it to make some pizza or lasagna!﻿﻿+ Warning!﻿﻿ Do not eat the sides, which is similar to the inner texture of a cantaloupe. This part of the fruit, as well as the exterior rind are toxic and will make you feel ill for a couple days if you attempt to eat it. The only parts that can be eaten are the inner soft, oily pulp surrounding the seeds and the seeds themselves.﻿

﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿3.2- Medicinal Uses+ Tradictional Medicine Other than the use of its fruit and leaves for special Vietnamese culinary dishes, gac is also used for its medicinal and nutritional properties. In Vietnam, the seed membranes are used to aid in the relief of dry eyes, as well as to promote healthy vision. Similarly, in Traditional Chinese medicine the seeds of gac, known as mubiezi, are employed for a variety of internal and external purposes. ﻿+ Modern Medicine﻿ Laboratory testing and scientific research have shown that Gac Fruit contains: 70 Times More Lycopene Than Tomatoes 20 Times More Beta-carotene Than Carrots 40 Times More Vitamin C Than Oranges 40 Times More Zeaxanthin Than Yellow Corn Carotenoids in plants are the primary dietary source of vitamin A worldwide. The most efficient pro-vitamin A carotenoid is beta-carotene which is abundant in yellow and orange fruits, such as mangoes, papayas, and yams and in green leafy vegetables such as spinach, kale, sweet potato leaves, and sweet gourd leaves. Consumption of foods rich in b-carotene theoretically can replete individuals to a healthy vitamin A status. Gac is remarkably high in beta-carotene and is an outstanding potential resource as a natural cure for Vitamin A deficiency. Additionally, the carotenoids present in gac are bound to long-chain fatty acids, resulting in what is claimed to be a more bioavailable form. Recent scientific studies have demonstrated the skin rejuvenating, toning, and youth enhancing benefits of Gac oil, and recent products have been introduced to capitalize on this. It could be said that the Vietnamese people have the lightest, smoothest, and healthiest skin of all Asian races. Recent attention is also beginning to be attracted in the West because of chemical analysis of the fruit suggesting that it has high concentrations of several important phytonutrients. There has also been recent research that suggests that gac contains a protein that may inhibit the proliferation of cancer cells.﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

﻿3.3- Health Benefits of Gac or Red Melon﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ Although the outer layer of gac, which is covered with bright red spikes, is toxic, gac fruit health benefits are harbored inside. Gac fruit is used in various traditional dishes, including a rice preparation called xoi gac, and enjoyed as a fruit and in beverages. Traditional medicine practitioners have reaped gac fruit health benefits for treatment of burns, skin problems, and eye disorders. Gac juice is often used as a beverage to boost immunity and for reproduction, heart, and prostate problems. Gac fruit health benefits are associated with its extremely high antioxidant levels, which help support prostate health and BPH treatment in men. The following is main health benefits of Gac fruit:﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿1- Gac fruit combats cancer﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ According to recent studies, the Gac fruit contains nutrients that have proven to prevent cancer and to even slow down the multiplication of cancerous cells. It was also recently found that this fruit contains a specific protein that inhibits the proliferation of cancerous cells. Due to this the Gac has earned the name “Heaven’s fruit”, as it has multiple ways of fighting cancer.﻿﻿﻿2- Gac fruit fights anemia﻿﻿﻿ Due to the abundance of iron found in this fruit, as well as Vitamin C and folic acid, anemia is combated. It is recommended that one finds the cause of anemia and depending on the condition to start consuming this fruit.﻿﻿3- Gac fruit helps lower cholesterol levels ﻿﻿ This fruit is recommended to those that have high cholesterol levels as well as to those who have a history of high cholesterol in their family. If consumed weekly, this fruit reduces the “unwanted” high cholesterol levels from your body.﻿﻿4- Gac fruit prevents cardiovascular diseases﻿﻿ As this fruit is high in antioxidants, it prevents cardiovascular diseases. If this fruit is consumed and accompanied with an active lifestyle, your heart’s health is assured. Cardiovascular diseases represent a high problem for many, therefore this fruit plays a vital role in maintaining your health.﻿﻿﻿﻿5- Gac fruit improves eyesight ﻿﻿﻿﻿ This fruit is mainly known for the benefits to eyesight it provides. The vitamins, beta carotene, and other substances this fruit contains, better one’s eyesight as well as prevent cataracts and other eyesight problems.﻿﻿﻿﻿6- Gac fruit combats depression ﻿﻿﻿﻿ Rich in selenium, minerals, and vitamins, which are important to the nervous system, as well as combat depression.﻿﻿7- Gac fruit maintains youth and prevents aging ﻿﻿ Aside from the health benefits this fruit provides, it also prevents aging and maintains one’s youthful appearance. It slows down the aging process as it stimulates cellular activity and reduces stress. The vitamins and minerals this fruit contains, help maintain the skin’s youthful appearance. It stimulates rebuilding of the collagen subcutaneous structures, as well as prevents the appearance of wrinkles. Source: Gac - a powerful fruit with many health benefitshttp://ladycodeblog.com/2013/11/26/gac-a-powerful-fruit-with-many-health-benefits.﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿

4- Growing Gac Fruit or Red Melon

Gac Fruit is a member of
the melon family and about the size of a cantaloupe, Gac grows on a perennial
vine and is frequently cultivated in home gardens on lattices and amongst the
branches of trees. Easy to grow, Gac is available during the summer months when
the fruit turns bright red and the seeds have hardened. Often referred to as
the “fruit from heaven” studies on Gac have found it to be amongst the most
nutrient-dense fruits known making it prized for its ability to promote
longevity, vitality, and health.

﻿﻿4.1- Propagation and cultivation of Gac fruit﻿﻿﻿The plant can be cultivated from seeds or root tubers, and grows as dioecious vines (separate male and female plants). Rooted vine cuttings can also be used for propagation and are more reliable than production from seeds, which can be affected by dormancy and a long lead time into production. Furthermore, several seedlings need to be planted in the one pit so that the male plants can be removed once they are identified as male at flowering, as only a few are needed for pollination. Alternatively, it is possible to graft female scion material onto the main shoot of the unwanted male plant, making it productive. Hybridisation studies using several Mormordica species including Gac and studies on the effects of plant growth regulators on Gac indicate that new varieties with bisexual flowers will be possible, overcoming some of the difficulties currently associated with Gac production.﻿﻿﻿

﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿4.2- Growing Gac fruit﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿4.2.1- Growing Gac fruit from seeds﻿﻿﻿ Gac or Red Melon, grows ondioeciousvinesand is usually collected from fence climbers or from wild plants. This means male flowers on one plant, female on another, you will probably need about 10 plants to make sure you have a combination of male/female plants. Gac seeds are brown in color and look like small meteorites with gagged edges and black lines running through them. They are about the size of a half dollar piece and about 1/4 inch thick. Approximately 200-300 seeds in 1 kilogram. They have one small hole on one end. This is where the vine will emerge at germination. Warmth, air circulation, and bright light are required for germination. Seeds are easy to germinate and they will germinate in 7-14 days. Germination rate is usually around 80%.﻿﻿1- Choose a Location﻿﻿ Since it is a tropical plant, gac is well suited to outdoor locations in the tropical or warm areas. In the cooler climates, a gardener can keep the plant in a largecontainerin a greenhouse. Gardeners can enjoy the benefits of gac fruit provided they offer the plant decent quantities of light, oxygen, and warmth. Make sure there is a lattice or trellis nearby that the vine can climb as it grows. Vines can reach up to 6 m (20 feet) long, so they offer attractive covering for a garden arbors.﻿2- Prepare the Soil﻿ Gac seeds require a soil mix with excellent drainage and air circulation, so gardeners should avoid both clay soil and regular potting soil. A fertilizer mix for seed starting is a good option. Prepare an area of the yard or fill a container with the right type of soil. ﻿﻿3- Grow and Care﻿﻿ Gac seeds are large, brown, and irregular in shape with a small hole in one end that the vine emerges from. Place the seeds into the soil with the holes facing downward. There are both male and female vines, so gardeners need at least 10 plants fairly close together to be sure there are sufficient quantities of each gender for successful pollination. Make sure the area stays warm and well of light. Germination takes around seven to 14 days. Irrigate regularly to keep the soil moisture, fertilize before planting the seeds and before the vines flowering and control pest when necessary. ﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿4- Pollinate the Plants﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿﻿ Flowers should bloom around two to three months after planting. Insects generally carry out pollination; however, in areas with few insects, gardeners can try hand pollination. To do this, identify a male plant by looking at the flowers. Male flowers have pale petals that spread widely for a pleasant, open bloom, while female flowers have a more structured appearance, with the unformedfruitcreating a bulge at the base. Pick a mature male flower and brush the stamen containing pollen against the center of a mature female flower to cover the carpel, which comprises the stigma and ovary. Approximately 2-3 months after planting, flowering occurs. Pollination is chiefly carried out by insects rather than wind and hand pollination results in a higher fruit set than open pollination. ﻿﻿5- Harvest the Gac Fruit﻿﻿ While many gac plants produce flowers in their first year, some may not have the maturity to support fruit. This means that some gardeners may have to wait until the second year to eat their homegrown gac fruit. Ripe fruit should be ready for harvesting around five months after flowers appear. The vines only fruit once a year, making gac fruit a delightful seasonal treat. Ripe fruit is around 13 cm (5,12 inches) long and around 10 cm (4 inches) in diameter. It takes approximately 5 months after flowering before the ripe fruits can be harvested. One plant can produce 30 - 60 fruits in one season, although this may depend on factors such as climate and plant age, yet to be described.﻿﻿﻿

4.2.2- Growing Gac fruit from root tubes The plant can be cultivated from root tubers. Rooted vine cuttings can also be used for propagation and are more reliable than production from seeds, which can be affected by dormancy and a long lead time into production. Alternatively, it is possible to graft female scion material onto the main shoot of the unwanted male plant, making it productive. The steps of growing and caring are the same as growing from seeds, but the starting from seedlings. Note that Gac fruits are dioecious vines (separate male and female plants). They want the male plants and female plants in suitable rate.

﻿﻿﻿ 4.2.3- Growing Gac fruit from Hybrid varieties﻿﻿﻿ Hybridisation studies using several Momordica species including Gac and studies on the effects of plant growth regulators on Gac indicate that new varieties with bisexual flowers will be possible, overcoming some of the difficulties currently associated with Gac production. The steps of growing and caring are the same as growing from seeds, but the starting from bisexual seeds. Note that growing Hybrid Gac fruits not need choose the male plants and female plants because they have both two kinds of flowers.